S) "9 if you carefully observe all this commandment which I command you today, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in His ways always—then you shall add three more cities for yourself, besides these three."
Deuteronomy 19:9 (NASB)
O) In Israel, there were cities of refuge set aside for the Levites. These cities served as havens for people who were guilty of killing someone without premeditation. They were described as being a "manslayer," (see vv.4-6), and they were not necessarily deserving of death. Initially, the people were told to set up three cities to serve this purpose. Then there was the verse above. When the instruction about these cities is conveyed in Numbers 35, it is simply recorded as being six cities. There are two things at work through the above verse, then. First, the above verse is predicated on God's fulfillment of promise (see v.8), and those promises to the Israelites hinged on their own obedience to His commands. So, in Numbers 35 when they simply jump to six cities, it is likely because their obedience (and promise fulfillment) was an assumption. Second, the verse above shows us that obedience reveals a love of the LORD. Loving God (which includes obedience) leads to merciful character.
A) Jesus was pretty clear also, when He said if I love Him, I will obey Him (see John 14:15). Obeying Jesus is really about becoming His disciple, becoming more and more Christ-like in His character, motivation, and action. At the root of all of this is loving Him. When I pursue Jesus, when I make disciplined efforts to strengthen my relationship with Him, that is when true change will occur. I should be concerned with obedience (walking in His ways), and I should be concerned with character (e.g., being merciful), but at the root of all of that, am I choosing to love the Lord my GOD with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength? That is the goal. The goal is not being more peaceful. The goal is not walking in righteousness. The goal is to be with Jesus Christ. In the current state of the world and my flesh, I cannot have pure intimacy with Christ. In the meantime, I must choose to spend time in the Bible (see John 1), spend time in worship (see Psalm 22:3), and spend time in prayer, waiting upon the Lord (see Psalm 130).
P) Father, I want to lay aside distractions. Your goodness and love continue to draw me close. I confess that my pride has led me astray, even in the way I have tried to serve You. I have tried to walk in righteousness by my own strength. I have tried to have faith by my own optimism. I am sorry for such foolishness, Father God. You are a consuming fire, LORD. Burn away everything that comes between us. Help me to refocus on the most important thing: my relationship with You, God. Rebuke me, Lord, anytime I am trying to do it on my own, even trying to follow You on my own strengths, abilities, or disciplines. Be glorified in my life, as I am made less and You are made more. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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